Another #stitchingsunday

Welcome back to another episode of #stitchingsunday.  This recently added Sunday theme* highlights stitches from blog posts in current stitching projects.

I decided to put my money where my mouth was regarding the recent post about the Oblique Tied Diamonds.  The original version was large and in charge.  As mentioned in the earlier post, I wanted to try it as a house.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Today's version is much more subtle, as it uses Splendor and Elegance for the cross and the stitch tying it down (gray lines and aqua lines, respectively).  A single vertical stitch with Kreinik Metallics Fine Braid (#8) replaces the bead.  In the sample above, it's the front of a house.  I think it would also make a fantastic roof. 

These stitch diagrams, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 43 guides are currently available, including the brand new Passion Flowers and Royal Peeps, and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

* Don't worry.  #smallspacesunday hasn't disappeared.  I want to mix it up a little.

Karen's Diamond

Leave it to Karen Hennessey of Zecca to provide another clever take on a diamond stitch and have a wonderfully bright stitched example to go with it.

The stitch begins as your more traditional diamond with outer rows over three rows and a row over two in between the rows going over three.  But, she skips a row between the outer edges and that's where things get interesting.  

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Due to the many unique components of this stitch, this might be one stitch that I don't see with threads all of one color.  It almost NEEDS the multiple thread colors to add definition.  As an example, the oblique tied crosses in the center of the diamonds stand out in their own color.  I love how the diamonds are in a darker shade to help add to that definition.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 43 guides are currently available, including the brand new Passion Flowers and Royal Peeps, and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

At Least I Admit I Stole It

A stitching friend walked in with this stitch on a Charley Harper toucan and I gasped.  I love, love, love this stitch. 

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

I love the slender columns.  I love the mix of matte and metallics.  It's perfect for so many tall, or wide, spaces.

Add the oblique crosses (gray lines on diagram over two rows and up four) first.  Tie them down with the vertical stitch over the center (aqua lines).  Finally, add the bead over two rows on the vertical in between the oblique crosses.  And voila!  Tall magic!

With a similar combination of matte and metallic threads, this stitch would make a great Santa bag (on the horizontal).  I'm playing with the idea of using it as paneling on the side of a house.  It's really quite spectacular. 

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 41 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

Sweet Small Sky

Today's stitch comes from a piece Laura Taylor is working on with a student.  And it's absolutely charming.  It's almost nothing but it's also almost perfect.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

The diagram includes two versions of the stitch and illustrates the stitch's scalability.  The diagram on the left includes stitches over three rows and one row.  The other version includes stitches over four and two rows.  The stitched sample on the right reflects the first diagram (over three and one row).  It's sweet and simple and I love it.

The stitched sample is from a sky.  It would make wonderful water with two different blue metallics, or even two metallics of different sizes.  It would also serve well as a sky or mountain stitch.  The key is to use a lightweight thread.  For example, consider using Elegance on 13-mesh or Petite Silk Lame on 18-mesh. .  

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster.  43 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch!  Enjoy!  (And, thank you again, Laura, for letting me "steal" this from you!)

Stolen Stitches

The month of June is dedicated to stolen stitches.  These are stitches I've come across on other people's work that I've "borrowed" and made for us to own!

Today's stitch is probably the only stitch that I could find its root source...one of Ruth Schmuff's wonderful iStitch books.  Essentially, it is a 3X3 diamond.  What I love about what Ruth did was how she offset the center stitch on each side of the diamond.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

A little Upright Cross in each of the intersections makes for a perfect sassy accent.  The stitched sample uses City Needlework Silk and Frosty Rays.  And Scott Church Creative's Easter Duck is ready to rumble!

As with most diamond stitches, there are way too many applications to count so I'm going to ponder thread choices.  I would love to see this in Very Velvet (for the diamond) with a matte accent, such as Rainbow Linen or even Lorikeet, for a coat or roof.  Using Elegance or Pearl Cotton (for the diamond) with a lightweight Kreinik (for the accent) would make a beautiful sky.  This would also make a wonderful water stitch with two metallics, such as Kreinik and Petite Silk Lame.  The possibilities are really quite amazing.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 41 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

Please!  Someone "steal" this from me and let me know what you do with it! 

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

Lace Up

Today's stitch is the one that started me down the internet rabbit hole of Sashiko.  It's a beautiful lace effect with every stitch over two rows and in every direction.  Sounds complicated but it's really quite charming.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account. Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account. Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

The stitched sample uses one thread (DMC Perle #8) for all the stitches.  I love how the lace pattern and canvas shading mingle to create the perfect lace effect.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster.  41 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch!  Enjoy!

Surprisingly Small

Truth be told, I don't consider today's stitch a true small space stitch*.  However, as I was examining my needlepoint pieces for #smallspacesunday inspiration, I found this stitch in a small space on one of my (ahem, many) fruit pillows.  And, much to my surprise, I haven't covered this exact stitch yet (variations of, yes...this stitch, no).  So, win win!

I give you Upright Tied Crosses in its purest form.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account.  Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account.  Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

The stitched sample is a raspberry from a retired Melissa Shirley fruit pillow.  It used DMC Perle Cotton with Frosty Rays as the X on top.  The use of two threads was a perfect way to make this stitch pop in a small space.

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 41 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

* I acknowledge this is not what I consider a pattern stitch.  I consider #smallspacesunday a theme unto itself.  :)

Sashiko

Sashiko is a form of Japanese embroidery that utilizes running stitches to create geometric patterns, typically done with white thread on an indigo fabric.  Sashiko means "little stabs" and refers to the small stitches in the pattern(s).  It is quite stunning in its simplicity.   (Visit here, here, and here for more insight about Sashiko.)

I love the symmetry of Sashiko.  Today's post is just one of many patterns I thought would be beautiful in needlepoint.  

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account.  Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account.  Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

This is a good opportunity to remind you, dear readers, about how I approach stitch diagrams.  I often use 2+ colors in a diagram to offer insight on sequence and/or thread opportunities.  In other words, if there are lines of two colors, this could mean two different threads or simply clarity on how to best navigate a stitch with a single thread.

Today's two colors, in my opinion, should be two different threads, whether it be similar values with different finishes, or two different colors altogether.  The stitched sample uses two colors of Trebizond silk to provide absolute clarity on how the center element (aqua lines in diagram and light pink thread in sample) is a separate element.

I'm going to bore you again with my ideas for how to use this stitch.  It appears an unintentional theme of this month is background stitches.  Yes, this would make a perfect background or wallpaper.  The size of this pattern necessitates a larger space.  I would love to use it as a sky with a matte and metallic or a ground cover with two different color threads (similar to the stitched sample).

These stitch diagrams, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster.  41 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch!  Enjoy!

Fair and Square

This morning's stitch is a series of connected squares. It's straightforward, scalable, and a tiny bit sassy. It's tempting to add something in any of the centers, but the simplicity is what I like about this stitch. In other words, leave it alone.  :)

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Pinterest account.  Visit pinterest.com/whimsicalstitch/whimsicalwednesday for a library of all #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Click on image to see on whimsicalstitch.com's Instagram account.  Visit instagram.com/whimsicalstitch to see a library of stitched samples for select #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams.

Just as the first pattern stitch this month, this stitch works best in an area that needs to recede such as a background. I would love to try this stitch on a large window with a lightweight Kreinik. The stitched sample on Instagram is a background on Melissa Shirley's Pumpkin Patch (a piece I'm dying to finish...someday).

This is a large open stitch and every effort should be made to minimize visible threads across the back of the canvas. To accomplish this, I have a couple suggestions. First, for people who use waste knots (me!), begin your thread on the axis that includes a connecting row (at least 10-12 rows away from your starting point). You can cover the waste knot as you stitch the connector while making sure the thread is snug and hidden behind that same row in the open area.

My second piece of advice is to start rows in corners as much as possible. For example, after I stitched a connector (on a subsequent square), I landed in the middle of a row on the new square. I added that center stitch (again, to minimize visible threads on the back) and moved immediately to a corner and stitched the remainder of that side of the square. Typically, when I completed a square, I was next to a connector row, meaning I could go down one row to add the connector row and then repeat.  

This stitch diagram, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides and stitch concepts for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster. 41 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch! Enjoy!

#stitchingsunday

Welcome to our newest blog theme, #stitchingsunday.  #stitchingsunday is an addition to the existing rotation of #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday.  This new theme will highlight stitches from blog posts in current stitching projects.  

Today's inaugural #stitchingsunday is one of my go-to stitches, a weave stitch.  The original post featured a slightly more glamorous version that included a matte and metallic thread combo.   

Today's version aligns with the original stitch diagram but with a much more subtle application.  I used two plies of Soie D'Alger on 18-mesh for a very light look and feel on a background behind some very glamorous objects.  I wanted the objects to pop and not clash with the background.  Also, truth be told, I didn't want to invest the time in doing the background in plain needlepoint, which was a very viable (and good looking) option.

These stitch diagrams, along with all other #whimsicalwednesday and #smallspacesunday stitch diagrams, can also be found on a Pinterest board here.

Be sure to follow whimsicalstitch.com on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you like what you see on this blog, want to learn some very creative decorative stitches, and how to put them all together, whimsicalstitch.com sells stitch guides for Melissa Shirley Designs, Zecca Designs, and Patience Brewster.  41 guides are currently available and more are in the pipeline.

I hope you have the perfect spot for this stitch!  Enjoy!